Canadian Girls in Training
Encyclopedia
Canadian Girls in Training, or CGIT, is a church-based program for girls and young women aged 11 – 17 throughout Canada
.
The group was founded in 1915, as an alternative to the burgeoning Girl Guides movement. Initial support was provided by the YWCA
, along with the Anglican
, Baptist, Presbyterian
, and Methodist
churches. By the end of its first decade, 75,000 girls had received CGIT training. By 1933, there were chapters in 1100 communities across the country, with a total membership of 40,000. The group later became a program of the Canadian Council of Churches
' Department of Christian Education, and was an independent organization by 1976. Today, it is supported by the United Church of Canada
, the Presbyterian Church in Canada, and the Canadian Baptist Ministries, and numbers approximately 2,000 members in 150 groups.
CGIT provides mid-week activities rooted in contemporary Christian (Protestant
) values. Another aspect of the organization is participation in one of several CGIT camps, including Kalalla (Alcove, Quebec
), Ryde Lake (Gravenhurst, Ontario
), and Wohelo (near Edmonton, Alberta).
The CGIT purpose is: As a Canadian Girl in Training, under the leadership of Jesus, it is my purpose to Cherish Health, Seek Truth, Know God, Serve Others and thus, with His help, become the girl God would have me be.
Canadian Girls in Training wear a distinctive uniform, a white and blue middy, originally modelled on this style of shirt that was popular when the organization was being formed.
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
.
The group was founded in 1915, as an alternative to the burgeoning Girl Guides movement. Initial support was provided by the YWCA
YWCA
The YWCA USA is the United States branch of a women's membership movement that strives to create opportunities for women's growth, leadership and power in order to attain a common vision—to eliminate racism and empower women. The YWCA is a non-profit organization, the first of which was founded in...
, along with the Anglican
Anglican Church of Canada
The Anglican Church of Canada is the Province of the Anglican Communion in Canada. The official French name is l'Église Anglicane du Canada. The ACC is the third largest church in Canada after the Roman Catholic Church and the United Church of Canada, consisting of 800,000 registered members...
, Baptist, Presbyterian
Presbyterian Church in Canada
The Presbyterian Church in Canada is the name of a Protestant Christian church, of presbyterian and reformed theology and polity, serving in Canada under this name since 1875, although the United Church of Canada claimed the right to the name from 1925 to 1939...
, and Methodist
Methodist Church of Canada
The Methodist Church of Canada was a united church formed in 1884 and comprising most former Methodist denominations in Canada including some that had been active along Canada's eastern coast and north of the St...
churches. By the end of its first decade, 75,000 girls had received CGIT training. By 1933, there were chapters in 1100 communities across the country, with a total membership of 40,000. The group later became a program of the Canadian Council of Churches
Canadian Council of Churches
The was founded on September 27, 1944 at Yorkminister Baptist Church in Toronto Ontario Canada. The Canadian Council of Churches provides an agency for consultation, planning and common action. It was founded to co-ordinate the growing number of Canadian co-operative ventures in social services,...
' Department of Christian Education, and was an independent organization by 1976. Today, it is supported by the United Church of Canada
United Church of Canada
The United Church of Canada is a Protestant Christian denomination in Canada. It is the largest Protestant church and, after the Roman Catholic Church, the second-largest Christian church in Canada...
, the Presbyterian Church in Canada, and the Canadian Baptist Ministries, and numbers approximately 2,000 members in 150 groups.
CGIT provides mid-week activities rooted in contemporary Christian (Protestant
Protestantism
Protestantism is one of the three major groupings within Christianity. It is a movement that began in Germany in the early 16th century as a reaction against medieval Roman Catholic doctrines and practices, especially in regards to salvation, justification, and ecclesiology.The doctrines of the...
) values. Another aspect of the organization is participation in one of several CGIT camps, including Kalalla (Alcove, Quebec
Alcove, Quebec
Alcove is a small community in Quebec, Canada, part of the Municipality of La Pêche. It is located along Highway 105 and the Gatineau River approximately 35 minutes north of Ottawa, immediately north of Wakefield and south of Farrellton....
), Ryde Lake (Gravenhurst, Ontario
Gravenhurst, Ontario
Gravenhurst is a town in the Muskoka Region of Ontario, Canada. It is located approximately south of Bracebridge, Ontario. The mayor is Paisley Donaldson...
), and Wohelo (near Edmonton, Alberta).
The CGIT purpose is: As a Canadian Girl in Training, under the leadership of Jesus, it is my purpose to Cherish Health, Seek Truth, Know God, Serve Others and thus, with His help, become the girl God would have me be.
Canadian Girls in Training wear a distinctive uniform, a white and blue middy, originally modelled on this style of shirt that was popular when the organization was being formed.